The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with half a dozen injuries ahead of a critical road game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The most notable and concerning of the Steelers’ injuries come at outside linebacker. Both Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the team leaders with a combined 20 sacks between them, are in concussion protocol and head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t have any updates on their availability for this weekend’s date with the Colts.
“We’ll rely on the medical experts in terms of their availability and then the stages of availability as we push through the week, but I don’t have a lot of information or detail there,” Tomlin said. “I really wait and hear from them regarding those things.”
Highsmith suffered a neck injury in the first half of last week’s game against the Patriots and left the game. Watt took a knee to the head from New England running back Ezekiel Elliott and left the game multiple times.
He was checked for concussion symptoms by the NFL’s independent neurologist and cleared to return and finish the game.
Tomlin had an encouraging update on the health of running back Najee Harris and offensive guard Isaac Seumalo, who both entered gameday last week questionable.
But Harris’ knee injury and Seumalo’s shoulder injury were mild enough for both to play and Tomlin expects them both to be even better prepared this week as they are expected to participate fully in practice. The same goes for cornerback James Pierre, who didn’t practice last week and was inactive for the Patriots game with a shoulder injury.
“Some of the guys who kind of went into that game in less than ideal circumstances, I’m sure will be better because of the extended week as we come out of it,” Tomlin said.
“Guys like Isaac and Najee who were limited last week and in preparation will probably have more extended in-helmet preparation, which is critical on a big week.”
Rounding out the injury report is starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who will miss yet another game with an ankle injury that required surgery to repair, according to Tomlin.